What do you do when a freebie requires a credit card?
I get this question often as many don’t want to put bank information into a website to get a freebie — I don’t blame you as you really can’t err on the side of precaution when it comes to your money.
There is a solution to this though! I actually have two prepaid cards, one that I use regularly (including having direct deposits on it) and one that I just leave empty so that I have a card to enter for those freebies that will “verify my identity” but I don’t need to worry about any oddball charge. I have never actually had anyone try to charge anything to that card but I like having the reassurance that even if they did, they wouldn’t get a penny!
If you want to get one of these, you can sign up here FREE and you will get the card in the mail — this is an official American Express Pre-paid card! You can use it for just freebies and keep it empty or add cash to it and use it as a debit card!
Either way, I recommend having one of these on hand! Sign up here and it comes in the mail within a week or two.
The nice thing about this one is that there are NO monthly fees!! This is a FREE pre-paid card and it comes with many of the American Express cardholder benefits too!
Note: Card cannot be sent to Arkansas or Vermont.
(Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.)
is it totaly free
Yes — no fees on it at all. Only time there are fees are if you use the Debit card at an ATM more than once a month. You get one free ATM usage per month. Additional ATM usage per month is $2.
I HATE HATE HATE the videos that turn on automatically…this is very disturbing if you are listening to something else or what if someone is at work, I skip coming here for that reason or when I forget who runs them and get here it often makes me turn off the page immediately. SO SO SO annoying.
I agree- I was going to say something also- if I open a link to something you have posted I do not always get to it right away and the videos make me just close it – Is this new?
it’s not giving me a confirmation at checkout for the promotion code I entered. will it still work?
SO I just signed up…Do I get the card in the mail and then load the $25 and it will automatically be loaded with an additional 25? Thanks
You will get the card in the mail usually within a week or two. Then you can easily load it and once you have loaded the $25, they will send you a $25 gift card in the mail. 🙂
Is there an age limit? It would be good to order for my teenagers to have their own cards.
Thank you! Worked fine for me:)
I just tried it and they said the code is expired
Where does it say that they are going to send you a $25 card after you load it? I want to print the screen to make sure I have a copy of the promo in case it doesn’t come…
@Kristi I believe I read (in the fine print) that the user has to be at least 13. The adult is still responsible.
I have been given AMEX gift cards as awards and not all places accept them, especially restaurants even though it is a violation of their agreement w/ AMEX if they accept regular AMEX cards.
I have not used this prepaid card and will be curious who accepts it. Either way it is great for those ‘freebies’ that require a cc.
That sounds great. Do you happen to know how many free gift card I can get from this promotion? I mean if I order 2 or more prepaid cards, will I receive 2 or more gift cards?
Per the terms each person can get up to three! 🙂
can u get multiples>
Per the terms you can do up to three per person.
Thank you for this valuable information.
I tried this, but you have to give your bank info for the original one, correct??
No, you can order the card sent to you empty and then load it after you get it.
I just did this and loaded the $25 right away with my bank account, but nowhere does it say that I’m getting a free gift card…. Is there something I’m missing?
I applied, loaded $25 right away, used the promotion code to get free #25. They deposited a small amount into my checking account and then withdrew it. they were suppose to send me an email but haven’t received anymore info re the card
Did this when it was first posted. Got the email yesterday that the card is coming in the mail!
Thanks for this heads up. Mine should be arriving any day now!
I did this earlier, but I’m not sure how to get the gift card.
Once you get the prepaid card in the mail, you then load $25 on it. Within 45 days they will send you a $25 gift card 🙂
I did this. I’m going to load after I get it. It sounds great that u get another $25 for loading $25. Thx wheelndealmama! 🙂
Why do they ask for your social on this?
They do on any prepaid card as that is how they verify your identity — they don’t check credit though.
Thanks so much for your answer!
I just called American express and asked if this were true and they said an email was sent out and only the person with the email this applied to. that the code would not work if you did not receive the email directly from them.
Are they reloadable?
Yes they are! 🙂
Ok just so I understand. You load $25 on it and then you will get a card from them with an additional $25 on it?
Yes, you load $25 on the prepaid card and then they will send a a $25 gift card in the mail within 45 days.
Hi again, I was getting ready to send this to my brother and saw the note from Donna at 12:35 today and wondered if you had a reply before I forwarded it to him? Thanks for helping us out!
Yes — they are reloadable 🙂 One of the best prepaid cards as there are no monthly fees too.
I just tried to use the promo code and it said that it was either not valid or it was expired.
Make sure you just type it in, don’t copy and paste 🙂
Okay — I signed up for this promo using the promo code, received my card in the mail, verified the deposits through my bank and everything. So, the card is activated now, just waiting for the $25 I loaded to reflect on my card (up to 5 business days.) HOWEVER, I just got off the phone with AMEX Customer Service and I asked the gentleman about the “promo code”, he told me it’s “ONLY” for people (a select demographic) who were sent that special code via email and NOT open to the rest of the public! So this would cancel not only ME out, but pretty much the rest of your readers :*( Do you know if what I was told is accurate?? I have no email or anything from them about this “promo code + Free $25”.
I’d appreciate your input! 🙂
Thanks!!
The same thing happened last time they did this promotion, I am not sure why some CS Reps say that and others don’t — but unfortunately they do! Either way, the cards still came last time as long as you loaded the $25 on the card. 🙂
Thanks. I’ve been wanting to get a prepaid card for my son and this seems like one of the better ones out there. Hopefully everyone will get the $25 gift card but I probably would have gotten it eventually even without the offer.
I finally was able to complete the application, and it was sent. I hope this is legit, and I do receive a card. I can load it right from the computer right?? Thanks for sharing this.
thanks
Signed up for it, cannot wait to get my card.
I love this deal, but it’s not available in my state! 🙁
thanks
I use these as well for the exact same reason. I have one that I actually shop with and one that use for special offers. I love it!
Thanks for the info!
This sounds like a great idea!
Definitely getting one! thanks
this is awsome i got my card yesterday in the mail, i like that i can use it for free trials and stuff great ideas, thank you
What an amazing deal! THANKS!!! 🙂
I just received mine in the mail today
Wow! awesome gotta get this!
Thank you for this information. I signed up for one. It will be great for internet use so I don’t have to compromise my real cards!
This sounds great thanks!
This sounds like an awesome deal!
Thanks for this info. Great idea!
Mine has already shipped! So excited to have a pre paid card that doesn’t charge me to load! thank you so much for this. I first saw it on Frugal Freebies w/credit to your blog!
I called to check the status of my cards and also asked about the additional $25.00. Much like others on here I was told that promotion is only for certain subscribers that received the e-mail with the promotion code…I HOPE that I still wind up receiving the additonal $25.00.
I was wondering if anyone had an update as to if they are actually getting the $25.00 and also when the deadline is to add the $25.00 to the card. Thanks
A couple readers said they have received their $25 gift card 🙂 The deadline to load the $25 on your prepaid card is the 24th of April.
Thanks for the update. I loaded my card on 4/13, so hopefully I’ll receive the $25 gift card soon.